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06/01/2011
Urgent Roads Maintenance Accelerates
The predicted return of wintry weather has seen increased activity from NI's Road Service with potholes being filled-in and other roadway defects repaired.
Stormont Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy said: "With a forecast for another cold period with a high probability of snow on Friday, motorists are advised to plan their journeys and check the latest travel advice.
"In preparation for the winter period and the predicted impact to roads across the region, since October 2010 an additional £8.5 million has been allocated for roads maintenance and this will be used to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell including the purchase of additional salt as well as progressing programmes of work targeting the most severely affected roads."
He also said that as well as this minor boost for road maintenance contractors, Roads Service has replenished its salt stocks over the Christmas and New Year period and there are adequate supplies of salt for the rest of the winter period.
"Roads Service will continue to work around the clock with 300 staff, 120 gritters and 11 snowblowers to focus resources as agreed by the Assembly, in ensuring the main roads which carry 80% of traffic are salted.
"Roads Service teams and contractors are working to ensure roads are kept safe.
"Whilst it will take time to assess the true extent of the damage, Roads Service has been undertaking a series of inspections and condition surveys to ensure the road network is maintained to defined standards and that serious road defects are detected and repaired as quickly as possible," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Stormont Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy said: "With a forecast for another cold period with a high probability of snow on Friday, motorists are advised to plan their journeys and check the latest travel advice.
"In preparation for the winter period and the predicted impact to roads across the region, since October 2010 an additional £8.5 million has been allocated for roads maintenance and this will be used to deal with the effects of the recent cold spell including the purchase of additional salt as well as progressing programmes of work targeting the most severely affected roads."
He also said that as well as this minor boost for road maintenance contractors, Roads Service has replenished its salt stocks over the Christmas and New Year period and there are adequate supplies of salt for the rest of the winter period.
"Roads Service will continue to work around the clock with 300 staff, 120 gritters and 11 snowblowers to focus resources as agreed by the Assembly, in ensuring the main roads which carry 80% of traffic are salted.
"Roads Service teams and contractors are working to ensure roads are kept safe.
"Whilst it will take time to assess the true extent of the damage, Roads Service has been undertaking a series of inspections and condition surveys to ensure the road network is maintained to defined standards and that serious road defects are detected and repaired as quickly as possible," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
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16 December 2010
Winter Wonderland To Return
As national weather forecasters said that the North and West of the UK would be worst hit by another spell of freezing temperatures - snow showers are expected to return to NI later today. With several centimetres of snow predicted to fall in some places, forecasters said the renewed Arctic blast could last into the middle of next week.
Winter Wonderland To Return
As national weather forecasters said that the North and West of the UK would be worst hit by another spell of freezing temperatures - snow showers are expected to return to NI later today. With several centimetres of snow predicted to fall in some places, forecasters said the renewed Arctic blast could last into the middle of next week.
29 October 2003
Motorists' winter warning
Motorists were today urged to play their part by driving safely in wintry conditions, as this year’s winter service operation was launched. Every night from November to March a fleet of 140 gritters and drivers will be on standby to salt over 4,300 miles of roads across Northern Ireland in just over three hours catering for 80% of traffic.
Motorists' winter warning
Motorists were today urged to play their part by driving safely in wintry conditions, as this year’s winter service operation was launched. Every night from November to March a fleet of 140 gritters and drivers will be on standby to salt over 4,300 miles of roads across Northern Ireland in just over three hours catering for 80% of traffic.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
